Was all really fair in ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE?

This movie didn’t meet the level of anticipation it generated for me especially due to the level of actors involved.

Although, one salient point this movie proved to me is that production sometimes supersedes  talent.

Now you can have a team of high quality actors and still not deliver an exceptional performance because the production failed to fulfill its pact. 

PLOT

Demi and Kanla are two longtime friends who are almost like brothers. They run a successful fashion business with the goal of breaking into the international market. However, they get entangled in a web of love with Mbali, a business  expert who they employed to take their local clothing line into the international scene.

While Demi battles with the emotional unavailability and support from his father , he stubbornly refuses to accept any financial aid from him which plunges Demi into more desperation to get funding elsewhere.

Unknown to both Demi and Kanla, Mbali has quite a few mischief up her sleeves towards their business as  she takes advantage of their love for her and the dysfunctional relationship Demi has with his father.

She manipulates both Kanla and Demi  to keeping their romantic relationship with her a secret from themselves, while executing her mission. 

 

HIGHS 

It’s no surprise that since the movie is about a fashion business,  it is rich with beautiful fashion pieces that made quality statements.Talk about the unique styles flaunted, colors and overall looks of the main characters. This actually set the mood for a classic fashion movie. 

I particularly enjoyed watching Ireti Doyle as she relayed her role effectively and yes, I felt the depth  of the mess Demi and Kanla were in .While Adedimeji Lateef also gave a great impression, I certainly do not enjoy watching him play such short scenes. I’m just of the opinion that he has more to offer as a talent. 

LOWS

What a production! 

Considering the fact that the movie was supposed to carry a sense of looming danger,  it was bland. No tension , no suspense. The storyline is based around the impending doom of the Demi and Kanla's business empire. Yet for some reason, the acting was below average as most of the actors just read out their lines.

Another issue is the casting of the movie because some characters did not just align with the roles assigned them. The rendering of some act was quite stiff , forced or just without any form of action.

It seemed to me the production focused more on the aesthetics, franchise actors while Ignoring characterization and pre production.

At some point the movie was meant to appeal to our emotions as it shed some light on emotional abandonment and lack of parental support but it barely moved me to any form of empathy.

And not to forget, the scene with physical combat at the end. It was not properly executed , at least if of a fact we are truly dealing with such a dangerous money laundering gang. 

I have seen Nigerian movies with lots of physical violence and ammunition involved . And can say with all certainty that Nollywood has crossed that level of production where it should struggle to create a shootout scene with lots of fighting.

It was distressful to watch actors like Timini and Deyemi who are stellar performers, struggle to appeal to my sense of fear or empathy. 

Some slow motion effects were not necessary at all. Especially in the scene where Mbali invited both Kanla and Demi to the art exhibition. 
Were we supposed to be scared with such effect? 
Common I watched blood sisters and was terrified for Sarah ( Ini dimma) as Deyemi was quite a terror. He effortlessly evoked a sense of danger around him. Also Timini  in a tribe called Judah gave a performance far from the typical lover boy style. 
I mean both actors are great but like I said what a production! 

FINALLY 

You can watch this movie out of fan loyalty , maybe because some of your favs are actually involved and you love seeing them on your screen . However , if you intend to sit back and enjoy an intense romantic performance especially with the impression hinted from the movie title . Then I must say, this movie is not for you .